Jeremiah 31:16
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The verse offers not just comfort but a specific kind of hope: the promise of a reward for suffering. This isn't about earning God's favor, but about the assurance that even profound sorrow and loss will ultimately yield a beneficial outcome, turning past anguish into a foundation for future joy.
Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet is painting a picture of profound sorrow, personifying Rachel weeping for her lost children, symbolizing the exile and devastation of the northern kingdom and the impending doom for Judah. This lamentation, however, is immediately met by God's promise of future restoration and comfort, assuring that the suffering will not be in vain. The verse transitions from acknowledging the bitterness of loss to offering hope for a future reunion and a flourishing land.
Imagine a mother's cry, so profound it echoes through generations. Jeremiah uses a powerful figure from Israel's past to paint a picture of deep sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:15 introduces Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob, weeping inconsolably for her children. This isn't just any mother's grief; it's a personification of national sorrow.
A Deeper Grief:
When you're in the midst of hardship, does God see your struggle? This verse offers a stunning assurance that your efforts, even your tears, are not in vain.
The LORD then speaks directly to this profound sorrow, offering a counter-promise: 'Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work.'
Understanding the 'Work':
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Exile and captivity are devastating realities. But God’s promise isn't just an end to weeping; it’s a guarantee of return and restoration.
The ultimate comfort in Jeremiah's message is the assurance of homecoming: '...and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.'
From Exile to Inheritance:
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, revealing Him as the self-existent, faithful, and redeeming One who enters into relationship with His people.
sakar · Hebrew Noun
A general term referring to a recompense, wage, or outcome—either positive or negative—that follows as a consequence of actions or service. In this context, it refers to the gracious fruit of Israel’s endurance and faith.
Jeremiah 31:16 speaks directly to the aftermath of the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, offering comfort and hope to a devastated people. The imagery of Rachel weeping for her children refers to the profound grief of losing loved ones to exile and death, but God promises a future of return and restoration.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the dispersion of the ten tribes. This event sets the stage for the later exile of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon begins deporting Judean elites and skilled workers to Babylon. This marks the start of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a Judean rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of the population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population. This is the most devastating event for Judah.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
After the Persian Empire conquers Babylon, Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Judean exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
This passage directly quotes Jeremiah 31:15, linking Rachel's weeping for her lost children to Herod's slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem, showing how God's promises of comfort extend even through devastating loss.
Romans 8:28This verse assures believers that all things work together for good for those who love God, echoing Jeremiah's promise that even bitter sorrow ('work') will ultimately yield a 'reward' and a positive outcome.
2 Chronicles 15:7This verse contains the phrase 'there shall be a reward for your work,' showing that the promise of recompense for faithfulness and endurance, even in difficult times, is a consistent theme throughout Scripture.
Isaiah 54:1-3This passage parallels Jeremiah's message by describing a time of rejoicing after barrenness and sorrow, with an expansion of the people and territory, illustrating God's power to bring abundant life out of desolation and loss.
Hosea 1:11This verse speaks of the future reunification of Judah and Israel, saying 'they shall return together from the land of the enemy,' directly aligning with Jeremiah's prophecy of the exiles coming back from captivity.
calvinJeremiah 31:15-16: "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not."
Sic dicit Jehova, Vox in excelso audita est, lamentatio, fietus amaritudinum, Rachel plorans super filiis suis noluit (renuit, vel, non admisit) ad consolandum (hoc est, non admisit consolationum super filiis suis) quia non ipsi, (hoc est, quia non sunt)
Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voi…
clarkeJeremiah 31:16: "Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy."
They shall come again from the land of the enemy - This could not be said of the murdered innocents at Bethlehem; they never came again; but the Jews, who had gone into captivity, did come again from the land of their enemy to their own border.
The verse offers not just comfort but a specific kind of hope: the promise of a reward for suffering. This isn't about earning God's favor, but about the assurance that even profound sorrow and loss will ultimately yield a beneficial outcome, turning past anguish into a foundation for future joy.
The prophet is painting a picture of profound sorrow, personifying Rachel weeping for her lost children, symbolizing the exile and devastation of the northern kingdom and the impending doom for Judah. This lamentation, however, is immediately met by God's promise of future restoration and comfort, assuring that the suffering will not be in vain. The verse transitions from acknowledging the bitterness of loss to offering hope for a future reunion and a flourishing land.
The prophet is painting a picture of profound sorrow, personifying Rachel weeping for her lost children, symbolizing the exile and devastation of the northern kingdom and the impending doom for Judah. This lamentation, however, is immediately met by God's promise of future restoration and comfort, assuring that the suffering will not be in vain. The verse transitions from acknowledging the bitterness of loss to offering hope for a future reunion and a flourishing land.
"Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD, and they shall come back from the land…" — The verse offers not just comfort but a specific kind of hope: the promise of a reward for suffering. This isn't about earning God's favor, but about the assurance that even profound sorrow and los…
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Last reviewed October 2026
